Cascading Windows

Definition - What does Cascading Windows mean?

Cascading windows is a type of arrangement of applications that are open on a Windows desktop. In this arrangement, the windows of the currently running applications overlap each other and their title bars are made visible to let the user know their open status. The cascading window arrangement can be used to manage multiple windows which are open simultaneously.

Techopedia explains Cascading Windows

When the cascading windows option is enabled, currently running windows are put in a single stack, which is fanned out in a way such that the title bars are made visible. This is helpful in making all the open windows visible and accessible. The cascading arrangement of windows usually appears on the top left corner of the desktop screen and displays the windows in a cascade format.

The cascading windows arrangement can be enabled with the help of taskbar options. To enable this arrangement, the user right clicks the taskbar and selects the "Cascade windows" option from the popup menu.

This arrangement can also be combined with the tiled arrangement by selecting the windows separately and then applying the arrangements option. The arrangements can also be applied by selecting the running applications from the Task Manager and then right clicking and selecting the cascade option from the popup menu.

Cascading windows along with other window arrangement options like tiled windows, show windows side by side and show windows stacked make it easier for the user to carry out multitasking easily, like when the user has to work with multiple windows at the same time copying, editing and formatting content from one application such as Microsoft Word to another like PowerPoint.